title: Carboplatin-containing regimens as front-line treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in two groups of elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the impact of a carboplatin-based doublet in two groups of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of all consecutive elderly patients (≧70 year old) with advanced NSCLC who received a carboplatin-based doublet as front-line therapy at our medical oncology unit was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the study, 57 consecutive elderly patients with advanced NSCLC were included. Carboplatin was combined with vinorelbine in 41 patients (71·9%) and with gemcitabine in 16 patients (28·1%). Overall, a total of 227 cycles were administered to 57 patients - 142 cycles were administered to patients in group 1 and 85 cycles were given to patients in group 2 - median number of administered cycles per patient was 4 (range 1-6). Of the patients, 35 (62%, group 1) were 'young-old' (70-74-year old) and 20 (38%, group 2) were 'old-old' (75-82-year old). Toxicity was mild in both subgroups (grade 3-4 neutropenia in 17·1% of group 1 and in 9·1% of group 2). At the univariate analysis, the median overall survival (OS) was 10·07 months (P = 0·789, 95% CI: 8·49-11·64), 10·1 months in group 1 and 9·8 months in group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This evaluation shows the safety and efficacy of a carboplatin-based doublet given as first-line chemotherapy in elderly advanced NSCLC patients. The combination with vinorelbine or gemcitabine is associated with a very good toxicity profile that does not seem to have a detrimental effect on efficacy.
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piacentini
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mercanti
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Trolese
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Furini
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Durante
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moratello
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tognetto
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonetti
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D003841:Deoxycytidine; D014747:Vinblastine; D016190:Carboplatin; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine
keywords: Chemotherapy; Elderly,; NSCLC,